I didn’t have to wait long. He turned the truck down a long one-lane road covered in just enough asphalt to count as paved, which eventually turned into a bumpy dirt road.
"You taking me out here to murder me?"
He shook his head. "Like I have the stomach to murder someone. I can’t even kill spiders. I just take ’em outdoors and let ’em go."
“You know that doesn’t help the spider.”
He shrugged. “It makes me feel better. Gives them a fighting chance.” Eventually, the trees parted and we found ourselves in a parking lot next to a public lake. The view was beautiful, and I spotted a spacious canoe tethered to the dock. Mason hurried to open the door for me and grabbed an actual, literal picnic basketfrom the back of the truck before leading the way to the water. "Here we are."
"A canoe?"
His smile faltered for a second. "Yes?"
"I’ve never been on a canoe."
"Wait—you’ve had that cabin all your life, and you’ve never been canoeing?"
I shook my head. "My mom is afraid of boats, so we never owned one. I’ve always wanted to try it out."
"Well, let’s go then." Mason carried the picnic basket to the canoe and helped me get inside before joining me. He rolled up his sleeves and paddled us out to the middle of the lake before pulling the oars in and opening the picnic basket. He removed the lid and began pulling out surprises.
He removed containers of fruit, trail mix, and a small container of sandwiches. "Did you make all this yourself?"
"It’s not a big deal."
I didn’t argue, but it felt like a big deal. Nobody had ever gone through so much effort for me on a date. Usually, I was the one making an effort, if I dated at all.
As we ate, we watched the sun set, and soon, stars were twinkling in the sky, just like that night all those years ago. "This is beautiful," I murmured. When I looked at Mason for confirmation, his gaze was fixed on me instead, and my heart melted a little. I turned my attention to him. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Now that we’re in this thing, you know, as boyfriends… what’s next?"
Mason chuckled a little. "Well, eventually I’ll paddle us back to shore and—"
"No," I said, rolling my eyes fondly. "I meantus. What’s next for us?"
"Oh, that." Mason was quiet for a long moment. "I want us to be together. Like for real. We’ve already come out to our families." He shifted in his seat and took a slow breath. "I’m in love with you, Em. I think, in a way, I always have been."
A lump had formed in my throat and I swallowed hard, nodding. "Yeah," I murmured. "Me too. I’m in love with you, too."
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mason
Myheartpoundedinmy chest at both my confession and Emery’s. "You are?"
He nodded. "I don't think I've ever felt like this about anyone before."
I reached across the picnic basket between us and took his hand. "Yeah. Same." We were both quiet for a long beat, reveling in our feelings for one another, our shared confessions, and the quiet of the night. After a few moments, I sat back and sighed. "We should probably get back. I don't want you to miss the grand finale."
His eyebrows shot up. "There's more?"
I nodded. "There's more." I paddled us back to shore and tethered the canoe securely to the dock before helping Emeryout of the boat and back onto land. As we made our way back to my truck, Emery put his hand in mine, warming me. My heart felt like it was too big for my chest. I couldn’t remember a time I’d ever been that happy, that truly in love. When we arrived at the truck, I kissed him tenderly, gently, lovingly, pressed against the cool metal of the truck, taking my time with him until his breathing was tight and he was groaning desperately as we kissed. I pulled away reluctantly and fought the urge to drop to my knees and take him in my mouth right there.
"Get in the truck before I do something I’ll regret," I murmured, my voice husky.
Emery raised his eyebrows. "Regret?"
